$650 million Detroit Red Wings development breaks ground

The Joe Louis Arena is home to the NHL's Detroit Red Wings. The stadium opened in 1979 with construction costs of $57 million. The arena has seating for 20,066 for Red Wings games and 20,153 for basketball. It can expand to 21,666 for concerts. It has 86 suites and a private seating section. The stadium added a LED video screen in 2006. The Red Wings will move to a different stadium in the future because they announced that they will not renew their contract with Joe Louis Arena. There are two smoking areas outside of the Joe Louis Arena but smoking inside is banned. Joe Louis Arena is one of only three NHL stadiums that do not have a corporate sponsor name.